‘9’ helmer driving Reel FX’s ‘Beasts of Burden’

Shane Acker directing dogs-as-heroes comicbook adaptation

Reel FX has brought on “9” director Shane Acker to helm an animated feature based on Dark Horse comic series “Beasts of Burden.”

Original story takes place in a town whose local dogs keep watch and protect citizens from supernatural dangers.

Aron Warner, Reel FX’s President of Animation, is producing the film with Mike Richardson from Dark Horse Entertainment and Andrew Adamson from Strange Weather. Darren Lemke is adapting the script based on the comics written by Evan Dorkin and illustrated by Jill Thompson.

Acker joins Guillermo del Toro and Jimmy Hayward on Reel FX’s list of directors attached to projects at the fully integrated movie studio. The ICM Partners-repped Acker directed the animated cult classic “9,” based on his Oscar-nominated short of the same title.